Category: Devotions

The Apostle Paul sought to win souls for Christ by declining to accept any compensation so that he would not give offense to anyone or an excuse to reject the gospel, which he was determined to preach without charge. His principle of life was that he should not obligate himself to anyone by accepting favours from anyone. He lived in such a way among the Corinthians that all were obligated to him because of his free services in preaching the gospel. He adopted this philosophy of life for the single purpose of winning as many to Christ as possible. [Zodhiates]

The Apostle Paul has, for the sake of the gospel, chosen to trust God for support instead of receiving support from the Corinthian church. He did not want to be misunderstood that he was preaching the gospel for any carnal material gain. Nothing of that sort. He was fulfilling a gospel debt he owed for the Christ who saved him.

The Apostle Paul felt a sense of duty to preach the gospel, evangelise the lost, not only because he is a believer, fulfilling the Great Commission but to fulfil his calling as Christ’s servant to the Gentile world. There is no boasting rather of duty for all that Christ has done to redeem his soul!

The Apostle Paul shares that he has not received support from the Corinthian church because he has chosen not to partake of the privilege accorded to God’s servants for their earthly need. He does so for the pure motive of advancing the gospel among the Corinthians.

Zodhiates said well, “He worked among them without the benefit of proper recognition. What is admirable about Paul among the Corinthians, however, was that in spite of their not recognizing and not properly deeming him as an apostle, he nevertheless did not desert them nor consider them unworthy of such a ministry.”

Barnes said well, “… they should have such a maintenance as to constitute a livelihood. They should be made comfortable, not rich. They should receive so much as to keep their minds from being harassed with cares, and their families from want; not so much as to lead them to forget their dependence on God, or on the people. Probably the true rule is, that they should be able to live as the mass of the people among whom they labour live; that they should be able to receive and entertain the poor, and be willing to do it; and so that the rich also may not despise them, or turn away from their dwelling.”

The Apostle Paul did not receive support from the Corinthian church. It is not that he should not be supported materially speaking rather he chose to work with his hands to provide for his necessities. He affirmed he ought to be compensated for spiritual work through material support.

What are the spiritual things? Matthew Poole defined well, “The apostle meaneth the doctrine and sacraments of the gospel; which are called spiritual things, because they come from heaven, they affect the soul and spirit of a man, they tend to make men spiritual, they prepare the soul for heaven.”